What gear do I need to hike the PCT?

The garments used during the active portion of a trip on the PCT and considered to be the basic outfit include socks, footwear, underwear, pants, shirt, warm jacket, hat, mittens or gloves, and rain gear. The term “extra clothing” refers to additional layers that would be needed to survive bad storms.

What degree sleeping bag do you need for the PCT?

Most hikers find a quality 20-30 degree down sleeping bag or quilt to meet their needs for almost every night of the trip. PCT hikers are also increasingly choosing sleeping quilts to get the warmth of a bag at 2/3 the weight and volume. We recommend the Therm-a-Rest Vesper 32, which uses 900 fill power down.

Do you need rain pants on the PCT?

Rain pants are not considered an essential item by all hikers, but if you’re going to bring rain pants, you want them to be good rain pants (in case you didn’t catch this when we were talking about rain jackets above).

Do I need bear spray on the PCT?

Bear mace is a must. Some hikers hike without it, but PlanYourHike.com strongly recommends that you carry bear mace with you while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and that you keep it somewhere immediately accessible. The bear mace discouraged the dogs and kept them at bay long enough for the hiker to get away.

What size pack do you need for the PCT?

Most PCT hikers carry between a 40-65L capacity backpack, with a main pack volume of 30-50 liters. This means the pack volume, minus the capacity of minor pockets and mesh pockets.

Can you bring a gun on the PCT?

Carrying firearms is generally discouraged They could be turned against you or result in an accidental shooting and they are extra weight most PCT hikers find unnecessary. Horseback riders may consider firearms to put down injured and sick animals.

What size backpack do I need for PCT?

What should I pack for hiking?

• Shelter. Most AT thru-hikers carry a tent.
• Pack. As the contents inside hikers’ packs get lighter and more compact, so too does the pack itself.
• Sleeping Bag. The vast majority of thru-hikers are going to see sub-freezing temperatures.
• Sleeping Pad.
• Clothing.
• Footwear.
• Water Purification.
• Hydration Reservoir / Water Bottle.